Sunday, February 16, 2014

A Lebanese bishop has discussed the difficulties that arise when
Muslims convert to Christianity, in an interview with the Catholic News
Agency.

The bishop—whose identity was not disclosed—said that Muslims who
embrace Christianity usually find it necessary to live abroad “because
it’s not possible to be converted and to stay here.”

Others, who are
unable to leave the country, move to Christian enclaves for security.

Since Muslims who accept another faith face great hostility—and Islam
prescribes a penalty of death for apostates—the process of conversion is
clandestine in Lebanon, where Muslims compose a majority of the
population, and statistics about adult baptisms are not made public.

Yet
despite the difficulties and dangers, he said that he is aware of many
Muslims who have become Catholics.